Search form

All SDG Library branches are temporarily closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visit www.sdglibrary.ca/covid-19-updates for more information. Have questions? Contact us at (613) 936-8777 or generalinfo@sdglibrary.ca.

You are here

A Silent Voice

by Yoshitoki Oima

A Silent Voice

The Eisner-nominated Short Manga Series

Shoya is a bully. When Shoko, a girl who can’t hear, enters his elementary school class, she becomes their favorite target, and Shoya and his friends goad each other into devising new tortures for her. But the children’s cruelty goes too far. Shoko is forced to leave the school, and Shoya ends up shouldering all the blame. Six years later, the two meet again. Can Shoya make up for his past mistakes, or is it too late?

Why Read It?

A Silent Voice has received widespread praise, particularly among those who normally do not read graphic novels in the Japanese manga format. Much lighter and more grounded in real-life than many other modern manga series (Tokyo Ghoul, My Hero Academia, One-Punch Man, Fullmetal Alchemist, Bleach, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc.), this short series by breakout author Yoshitoki Oima is really a story about being different and dealing with childhood bullying. The main characters and their hardships are depicted with sensitivity and with the intention of giving the reader the opportunity to evaluate themselves in the same way that Shoya does. For example, a common theme throughout the series is that while Shoko is deaf and has a speech impediment, is those around her who have the most difficulty communicating effectively.

These and other clever subtleties make A Silent Voice a particularly great manga for teens and adults to check out. Simply click the cover images below to place your requests.